that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Order Abu Bakr to lead the people in Salat." 'Aishah said: "O Messenger of Allah! If Abu Bakr takes your place, the people will not be able to hear due to his crying, so order 'Umar to lead the people in Salat." She said: "So he said: 'Order Abu Bakr to lead the people in Salat.'" 'Aishah said: "So I said to Hafsah: 'Tell him that if Abu Bakr takes your place, then the people will not be able to hear due to his crying, so order 'Umar to lead the people in Salat.'" Upon this Hafsah did it. So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Indeed you are but like the companions of Yusuf! Order Abu Bakr to lead the people in Salat." So Hafsah said to 'Aishah: "I never received any good from you."
Hadith Commentary from Chapters on Virtues
This narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 3672) demonstrates the profound wisdom of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in maintaining Abu Bakr's leadership in prayer despite valid concerns about his emotional state.
Scholarly Analysis of the Incident
The scholars explain that the Prophet's insistence on Abu Bakr leading prayers, even while he was ill, served multiple divine purposes. Firstly, it established Abu Bakr's precedence and suitability for leadership after the Prophet's passing.
Abu Bakr's weeping demonstrated his deep love and connection to Allah and His Messenger, qualities that actually enhanced his spiritual leadership rather than diminished it.
The Reference to Yusuf's Companions
When the Prophet said "you are but like the companions of Yusuf," classical commentators explain this refers to the women who conspired against Prophet Yusuf. This gentle rebuke highlighted that even well-intentioned interference in divinely ordained matters can be problematic.
The incident teaches us about submitting to divine wisdom even when our limited understanding suggests alternatives.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
Scholars derive from this hadith that emotional weeping during prayer does not invalidate leadership, provided the recitation remains audible and proper.
This event also establishes the principle that the most virtuous should lead prayers, and emotional sensitivity to Allah's remembrance is a mark of true faith rather than a deficiency.